Ladd's 2 goals spark victory

On the same day the Blackhawks announced that playoff tickets would soon go on sale and the best team in the league - the San Jose Sharks - swept into the United Center to kick off a tough stretch of must-win games against playoff-bound teams, it was only appropriate that Andrew Ladd was the main man for the Hawks in a thrilling 6-5 shootout victory.

Of the players who dressed in red sweaters Wednesday, Ladd was one of just seven with any playoff experience, his coming during his rookie season with Carolina, where he proved a key cog in the Hurricanes' first and only Stanley Cup championship.

In fact, it was Ladd's play in the seventh and deciding game of that series against Edmonton that some felt pushed the Hurricanes over the top.

Against the Sharks on Wednesday, Ladd was again a key cog, scoring his 12th and 13th goals of the season.

"It's nice to have a couple go in," said the 23-year-old native of Maple Ridge, British Columbia. "It's been frustrating there for a while.

"But I think the team as a whole, we did a nice job of skating and getting in on the forecheck, and when we're doing that it creates a lot of chances and we were able to put some pucks in the net."

Ladd and linemates Martin Havlat and Dave Bolland took advantage of a plethora of chances Wednesday, stealing the show with a combined 3 goals and 7 points against a tough-as-nails Sharks squad.

"That line played great," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "They had big responsibility on defense, and on offense they were very dangerous. That was a really good night for that line."

"Bolly and Laddy have been great the whole season, and they weren't any different tonight," said Havlat, who opened the scoring with his 25th goal one minute into the game. "They've been playing great."

The win was the second straight for a Hawks team that had struggled mightily of late, dropping five straight before a win over Los Angeles on Sunday snapped that streak.

"We're looking forward to getting back on track," Ladd said. "Going through a slump isn't easy. We're slowly getting our confidence back."

Things won't get any easier with New Jersey and Vancouver heading to town.

"It's going to be a good test for us here," Ladd said. "We have to string a few together."